Keep puts Latrobe in commanding position

BAT finally got the better of the ball this season as two big centuries highlighted the first day of CNW since the Christmas break.

And despite Sheffield's year not going to plan to date, the cellar dweller displayed its usual spirit against arch-rival Devonport on Saturday and has its nose in front at the halfway mark.

Trent Keep has put Latrobe in a commanding position over Burnie after day one of action, crafting an unbeaten 150 to allow the Demons to declare on 8/277 just before stumps.

The 19-year-old wicketkeeper/top-order batsman came to the crease when the home side was in the some trouble at 2/33, before his captain's knock steadied the ship.

Keep hit 13 fours and three sixes to post the highest individual score of the season.

Latrobe had five overs to crack the Hurricanes' openers, but the visitors survived the tricky period and will resume at 0/16.

In what was a tough day for Burnie's bowlers, emerging paceman Tyler Johns impressed, taking 4-43.

Ulverstone's remarkable CNW season shows no sign of slowing down after it dismissed Wynyard for a meagre total of 156.

UK import Harry Smith made light work of the run chase to put the Robins ahead on first-innings points.

Smith finished the afternoon 113 not out, blasting 20 fours at a strike rate of 77 to guide the ladder-leader to 4/216 and a lead of 60 runs at the close of play.

Earlier, pacemen Sam Murfitt and Shaun Knott did the damage with the ball for Ulverstone, claiming three wickets each to almost guarantee the club remains undefeated.

Sheffield, led by right-handed middle-order batsman Richard Miles, will fancy itself to gain first-innings points in five days' time following the club's best effort with the bat this season against Devonport.

Miles struck an unbeaten 83, receiving great support from Jordan Marshall (31), Nick Cashion (31no) and Brenton Gale (28), to steer the Mountaineers to a declaration of 7/254.

The Warriors had no luck with the ball, despite the best efforts of Jackson Saggers (3-84), and require a further 250 runs, with 10 wickets in the shed, to record a first-innings victory.